527 invite raises GOP eyebrows; Dems say Repubs shouldn’t lecture

It’s not uncommon for 527 groups to hold fundraisers featuring lawmakers in key leadership positions in the legislature.

But a recent email from one Democratic 527 inviting donors to a fundraiser where they could meet members of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee was more than a little awkward, Republicans say.

“It’s generally acknowledged that JBC members have tremendous power when it comes to spending decisions,” said Dick Wadhams[1], chairman of the Colorado Republican Party. “It (the invitation) kind of implies that you get special access to those members who potentially will be making those decisions.”

The email is from Accountability for Colorado, a 527 group that helps Democratic candidates.

Accountability for Colorado Invites You To

Please join us for a reception with

House Democratic Leadership and JBC Members

Featuring:

Speaker Terrance Carroll

Representative Mark Ferrandino

Representative Dickey Lee Hullinghorst

Representative Claire Levy

as well as other members of the House Democratic Caucus

Ferrandino, of Denver, and Hullinghorst, of Gunbarrel, are the House Democrats on the JBC. Ferrandino said there was nothing inappropriate about it.

“We’re trying to raise money for the caucus. People see JBC as leadership,” he said. “Dickey Lee and I are in safer seats, so we’re trying to help people raise money.

“One of the things that is important in campaigns is to raise money to help keep the majority. There’s definitely people out there we see eye-to-eye with. We’re going to ask for money because there’s shared interest in keeping the legislature, and if we keep a majority in the legislature, we keep a majority on the JBC.”

Ferrandino said JBC business is not discussed at such fundraisers nor does he imply that meeting with him is tied to a contribution.

Wadhams acknowledged that Republicans also hold fundraisers built around leadership, but he said specifically tying a fundraiser to JBC members “goes further than normal.”